Kingwood, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9

A spectacular home in Wyfold Court with period features, high ceilings a private garden, parking and garage

Description

Wyfold Court is an immensely impressive Grade II* listed building, built between 1872 and 1878 by Edward Hermon. It occupies a beautiful setting in the Chilterns amidst 180 acres of parkland and is reputed to be one of the grandest houses in the South of England.

The stunning building was designed by George Somers Clarke, a pupil of Sir Charles Barry who was involved in the design of the Houses of Parliament and is inspired by the French Flamboyant Gothic style of architecture. There is elaborate lead cresting and finials on the steep roofs and richly carved dormer windows sit alongside striking stone-carved heraldic beasts.

Converted in the late 1990s into eleven sumptuous apartments by the highly respected country house developer P.J. Livesey, the restoration and conversion took an enormous duty of care and understanding of the original design that was incorporated into the conversion.

The main entrance of the building features a vaulted carriage porch and vestibule that lead into a large communal entrance hall with a tiled floor and then onto a spectacular 43' high grand staircase crafted in teak. There is a full-height Oriel window filled with stained glass adorned with the arms of every English monarch from William the Conqueror to Queen Victoria, and a number of fine, specially commissioned oil paintings decorate the walls.

No. 8 is formed from a wing of the mansion. It has views across the driveway towards the impressive main entrance and is accessed without the need to use the communal entrance, via its own private front door. Inside, the accommodation is arranged over three floors and provides 3,549 square feet of living and entertaining space.

Off the entrance hall is the spectacular Griggs and Mackay kitchen with limestone flagstone flooring, quartz worktops, timber cabinets and drawers. Built-in Miele appliances include two combination steam ovens, a large electric oven, a six-ring induction hob, a warming tray and a full-height built-in fridge. There is a Siemens dishwasher and an under-counter Bosch freezer. The kitchen boasts a large central island, providing ample scope for entertaining. To the side of the kitchen, there is space for a breakfast / family area.

At the end of the hall is the impressive sitting room, which has a large white marble fireplace and features tall mullion windows looking out to the front courtyard and main entrance.

There is a separate dining room between the kitchen and sitting room that also features a white marble fireplace and tall mullion window looking towards the main entrance. Above the dining room, accessed via its own staircase, is a mezzanine floor, perfect for a home office or family room.

All the rooms on the ground floor have grand ceiling heights, a feature of the historic building.

On the first floor, the principal bedroom has a spectacular view of the front tower and has an en suite bathroom with a separate bath and shower unit. There is also a separate walk-in wardrobe which then provides access to a small utility room/drying cupboard.

Further stairs lead to the second floor that has two double bedrooms, a single bedroom/study and a family bathroom with two sinks, a bath and a separate shower.

Outside, Wyfold Court is approached by a long private drive arriving at a large gravel driveway providing visitor parking. The property benefits from the exclusive use of an external detached pump house a short distance from the front door, which is useful for garden storage. There is an allocated underground car park space that is approached separately and has direct internal access to the Concierge Hall. There is a separate single garage to the rear of the mansion and parking available directly outside. The property has the exclusive use of a hidden private garden with Rhododendron borders, and newly fitted timber decking. Residents of Wyfold Court can enjoy access to the communal parkland and the two tennis courts.

Location

The nearby towns of Henley-on-Thames and Reading both have extensive shopping, recreational and educational facilities; a number of Berkshire state schools have been listed as some of the highest achieving secondary schools in the South East.

From Reading there is a regular, fast train service to London Paddington and the Elizabeth train service from Reading to the heart of London and frequent Rail-Air buses to Heathrow Airport.

The M4 and M40 motorways provide good motorway links to the M25, the west country and midlands.

There are a number of very good country pubs in the area including The Crooked Billet in nearby Stoke Row and The Greyhound at Rotherfield Peppard.

There is excellent riding and walking in the surrounding countryside.

Square Footage: 3,549 sq ft



Directions

From Henley-on-Thames, Market Place. Leave Henley via Gravel Hill, with the Town Hall on your right passing through Badgemore and continue through Rotherfield Greys to the T-junction at Bolts Cross (B481). Turn left signposted to Reading and Sonning Common and continue on this road down Peppard Hill and take the right turn to Kidmore End and Woodcote. At the crossroads turn right onto the Stoke Row Road. Proceed for about 1 mile and turn left into Lime Avenue (private road). Continue on Lime Avenue and the entrance to Wyfold Court will be on the left.